Electronic Certified Signature for SignNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What an electronic certified signature is

An electronic certified signature is a signed electronic record that includes stronger identity verification and a defensible audit trail. In the U.S., it helps show who signed, when they signed, and what they agreed to. The process usually combines signer authentication, document delivery, signature capture, and tamper-evident recordkeeping. signNow supports this workflow by storing signing events, timestamps, and document history so teams can review the full signing sequence later if needed.

Why it matters for U.S. records

It reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and creates evidence that supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when consent, intent, and attribution are documented.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation issues

Signer identity can be disputed when authentication is weak or records do not show how access was verified.
Missing consent language can create problems when a transaction requires proof that the signer agreed to electronic delivery.
Incomplete audit details make it harder to show intent, timing, and document integrity in a later dispute.
Retention gaps can leave teams without the signed record, supporting logs, or required compliance evidence.

Real estate

Real estate teams use it for leases, rental applications, and closing documents that need fast turnaround.

Healthcare

Healthcare teams use it for intake forms, consent records, and HIPAA workflows with documented access controls.

People who benefit most

Manages lease packets, rental applications, and closing paperwork in fast-moving property workflows. signNow customer stories from Martin Properties reflect the need to complete documents online, keep records organized, and support mobile signing when parties are not in the same office.
Coordinates multi-system document routing and signature capture for enterprise operations. Xerox’s NetSuite operations story shows how integration-based workflows help place the right signatures on the right documents, in the right format, without manual rework across departments.

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Audit trail

Captures signer identity, timestamps, and document history in one record, making the signing event easier to review and defend later.

Anywhere signing

Supports mobile and desktop signing so documents can move through review without waiting for in-person meetings or printed copies.

Tamper evidence

Keeps the signed file tamper-evident, so later changes are easier to detect during internal review or legal review.

Routing control

Helps teams route documents in sequence or in parallel, which reduces delays in approval-heavy workflows.

Record storage

Stores completed documents for later retrieval, which helps with retention policies and internal recordkeeping.

Reusable templates

Works with reusable templates, which shortens repeat transactions and keeps form language consistent across teams.

Connected systems and workflows

Connected systems move documents, contacts, and completed records between signNow and the tools teams already use every day.

How the signing flow works

The signing process follows a simple sequence from invitation to completed record, with each event captured for review.

Send request: The signer receives a document link or invitation.
Verify signer: Identity checks confirm the signer before access.
Capture signature: The signature is applied and recorded.
Save record: The completed file is stored with its history.

Quick setup steps

Use a short workflow to prepare, send, and store signed documents without adding extra manual steps.

Prepare file:
Upload the document and place signature fields.
Assign signers:
Add recipients and set the signing order.
Send document:
Send the request and track progress.
Save completed copy:
Download the completed record after signing.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP
Signature type	SES
Audit trail	UTC timestamps and IP logs
Document retention	6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2))
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Browser and device support

signNow works across major browsers and mobile platforms, with secure transport and mobile signing support for remote workflows.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Mobile access signNow mobile apps available

For regulated or enterprise deployments, managed devices, SSO, API access, and retention controls matter more than the device itself. Teams should also confirm browser updates, mobile app policies, and any industry-specific requirements such as HIPAA, FERPA, or 21 CFR Part 11 before rollout.

Security and compliance controls

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data protection:

AES-256 at rest

Security certification:

SOC 2 Type II available

Information security:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare compliance:

HIPAA support with BAA

U.S. legal framework:

ESIGN and UETA compliant

Real estate operations

A property team needed faster lease execution without losing document control.

Martin Properties used online signing for mobile and offline workflows.

The team could process forms online with 100% compliance and built-in security, which reduced paper handling and kept transactions moving across locations.

Enterprise operations

An enterprise operations group needed the right signatures tied to the right system records.

Xerox connected signNow with NetSuite for document routing.

The workflow matched signatures to document format and system context, which improved consistency across departments and reduced manual correction work.

Practical ways to reduce risk

A clear policy, consistent authentication, and complete records usually matter more than the signature image itself.

Match authentication to risk

Use stronger authentication for higher-risk documents, and keep the method aligned with the transaction’s sensitivity, internal policy, and any industry rule that applies.

Document electronic consent

Capture signer consent before sending documents electronically, especially when the workflow depends on ESIGN or UETA evidence for enforceability.

Preserve signing evidence

Keep audit trails complete and retrievable, including timestamps, signer details, and document history, so later review does not depend on memory or email threads.

Define retention early

Set retention rules before rollout, then apply them consistently to completed records, supporting logs, and any regulated files that require longer storage.

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and evidence issues that affect electronic certified signature workflows.

signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo on annual billing. If you need bulk send, Business Premium adds it, and Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication. Pricing and plan details are published by signNow, while HIPAA use still requires a BAA.

For HIPAA workflows, signNow supports compliance, but the covered entity must sign a BAA and keep signed records for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2). The audit trail should remain available with the completed file.

ESIGN and UETA support enforceability when intent, consent, and attribution are documented. signNow’s audit trail helps show who signed, when they signed, and what document they signed, which supports evidence in disputes.

If a signer cannot complete the flow on mobile, confirm browser support and app access on iOS or Android. signNow supports major browsers and mobile apps, but device policy or outdated software can still block the session.

For regulated records, use the plan that matches the compliance need. signNow’s Site License can add SSO, full API access, and HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 add-ons, while Business and Business Premium cover standard eSignature workflows.

If a document needs stronger evidence than a basic SES, add identity checks and preserve timestamps, IP data, and document history. That combination improves attribution under ESIGN, UETA, and court review standards.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	Plan / Feature
ESIGN and UETA support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	Not verified	Not verified
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	BAA available	BAA available	BAA available

Day 0:

Set up the account, templates, and signer roles.

Day 1:

Send the first document and confirm the audit trail.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and review signing permissions.

7-day trial:

signNow offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed PHI records for 6 years per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

ESIGN consent:

Capture electronic consent before the first regulated send.

UETA evidence:

Store attribution evidence with the completed record.

Part 11 records:

Retain secure audit history for FDA-regulated workflows.

Risks of poor implementation

Weak attribution

A court may question who signed.

Incomplete audit trail

The record may fail evidentiary review.

Retention failure

HIPAA records may be noncompliant.

Consent gap

The document may be harder to enforce.

Signer authentication:

Records the signer’s identity checks and access method.

Timestamp capture:

Captures UTC timestamps for each signing event.

Document hashing:

Calculates a hash for the signed file.

Tamper seal:

Applies a tamper-evident seal after completion.

Event history:

Logs document actions in sequence.

Audit export:

Exports the audit trail with the file.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free trial	7 days	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Bulk send	Business Premium	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Audit trail	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
Envelope cap	No cap	100/year	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating